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5/29/25 @ 6:59 am | Your cooperative is currently experiencing normal energy demand. No special energy saving measures are necessary.
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⚠️Summer Hours⚠️

Our office hours are changing.  Beginning Monday, June 2, we’re switching to our Summer Hours, which will run from Memorial Day through Labor Day:

Monday–Thursday: 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Friday: 7:30 AM – 11:00 AM

Need to report an outage or emergency after hours?

  • We’re always here for you—24/7! Call us at 712-659-3649 or 800-253-6211. Our after-hours call center will answer and dispatch crews if needed.

Making a payment after hours?  No problem. We’ve got you covered:

  • Use our drop boxes in Glidden or Sac City
  • Visit our website and click “Pay My Bill”
  • Log into SmartHub online or on the mobile app for quick and easy payments

Have questions? Give us a call at 712-659-3649 or 800-253-6211 — we're here to help!

 

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Understanding Demand

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  1. ENERGY CENTER
  2. Understanding Demand

Understanding Demand and What It Means for You

What Is Demand?

Electricity powers nearly every part of our daily lives—from heating and cooling our homes to cooking meals and cleaning up afterward. We contribute to electric demand whenever we flip a switch or run an appliance.

Demand is the amount of power (measured in kilowatts or kW) needed to run everything in your home at a specific time. Your peak demand is the 30 minutes each month when your home uses the most electricity.

This peak demand is unique to each member—it can occur at different times of the day or week,  depending on how and when electricity is used in your home.


Why Demand Matters

When multiple high-use appliances run simultaneously (like your oven, dryer, and dishwasher), demand spikes—a peak. Think of it like your internet connection: one device streaming a movie works fine, but when everyone in the house starts streaming at once, it slows things down. That higher "bandwidth" of electricity puts more strain on the power system.

Although your total energy use (kWh) matters, how fast and how much you use at once (kW) can drive up the cost of providing reliable service. RVEC must invest in equipment and infrastructure to meet these peak demands, even if they only happen occasionally.


How You Can Reduce Demand

Reducing demand helps everyone — it keeps system costs lower, improves grid reliability, and supports RVEC’s mission to provide safe, reliable, and affordable electricity.

Here are some simple ways to manage demand:

  • Stagger appliance use – Don’t run your electric oven, clothes dryer, and dishwasher simultaneously. Spread their use out over time.
  • Time your showers – Avoid using both simultaneously if you have an electric water heater and dryer.
  • Think efficiency – Use energy-efficient appliances and switch off devices when not in use.
  • Monitor with SmartHub – Keep track of your usage and identify when your demand spikes.

Pro Tip: Think of electricity like filling a pool. A firehose can do it fast but costs more; a garden hose takes longer but is gentler on the system. Either way, the pool gets filled—but the rate of delivery matters.


At RVEC, we’re always working to help our members learn more, take control of their energy use, and save money. Have questions about your demand or electric bill? Contact us anytime—we're here to help!

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Contact Info

Raccoon Valley Electric Cooperative

28725 Hwy 30 / PO Box 486

Glidden, IA  51443

712.659.3649 or 800.253.6211

www.rvec.coop

About Us

Raccoon Valley Electric Cooperative (RVEC), headquartered in Glidden, Iowa, is a member-owned, non-for-profit rural electric cooperative. RVEC provides reliable, affordable, responsible energy to businesses and industries, farms and homes throughout west central Iowa. Learn More.

Follow Us Online

All information on this website can be made available in an alternate form by calling 712.659.3649.

2023 ACSI Badge

Raccoon Valley Electric Cooperative earns this award based on data modeled by the ACSI® in 2023.

Award criteria are determined by the ACSI based on customers rating their satisfaction with Raccoon Valley Electric Cooperative in a survey independent of the syndicated ACSI Energy Utility Study.

For more about the ACSI, visit www.theacsi.org/badges. ACSI and its logo are registered trademarks of the American Customer Satisfaction Index LLC.

©2025 Raccoon Valley Electric Cooperative. All Rights Reserved.

  • HOME
  • ABOUT US
    • About RVEC
    • About Touchstone Energy
    • Annual Meeting
    • Board of Directors
    • Newsletters
    • Member Appreciation Events
    • Statement of Nondiscrimination
  • ENERGY CENTER
    • Energy Demand
    • Energy Saving Tips
    • Energy Solutions
    • Electric Vehicles
    • Heat Pump Calculator
    • Rebates
    • Touchstone Energy Savings
  • MEMBER INFO
    • My Account
      • How to Read Your Bill
      • Member Online Filter Store
      • My Power = Demand & Energy
      • My Power = Peak Page
      • Pay My Bill/View My KWH Usage
      • Payment Options
      • Patronage (Capital Credits)
      • What It Means to Be a Member
    • Forms
    • Community
      • Co-op Connections
      • Homeward's Grants & Loans
    • Youth
      • Scholarship Opportunities
      • Youth Tour
    • Energy Trail Tour Contest
  • RENEWABLE ENERGY
    • Iowa Energy Center
    • Iowa Choice Renewables
    • Solar Calculator
  • ECONOMIC DEV/COMMUNITY
    • Economic Development
    • Programs and Services
    • Homeward, Inc
    • Iowa Area Development Group
    • Revolving Loan Fund
    • Revolving Loan Fund Application
  • SAFETY
    • Kids Safety
    • Little Members
    • Residential Generators
    • Safety Checklist
    • Safety Quiz
  • OUTAGES
    • Outage Preparedness
    • Outage Restoration
    • Outage Safety
    • Outage Center
  • CONTACT US